Combination folding cot and stretcher.



J. FEKEYE. COMBINATiGN FOLDING 007' AND SIRETCHERJ APPLICATiON FILED MAR. 30, 1915.

Patented June 29, 1915.

3 SHEETS--SHEET1.

V IAILENTO/F J. FEKETE. ATlON FOLDING COT AND STRETCHER! APPLICATION FILED mmso. 191s.

COMBIN Patentezi June 29, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNEED TATE PATENT FFliQE.

JULIUS FEKETE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

$0111.81} ATION FOLDING COT AND STEETCHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUS FEKETE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Folding Cots and Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to folding cots, and has for one of its objects to provide a construction which is light, durable, simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and which can be readily folded so that it Will occupy a small space.

Another object of the invention is to produce means, whereby the cot is held in its extended position against accidental operation, thereby making the structure safe and also reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to construct a folding cot, specially adapted for miltary purposes in that it can be converted conveniently into a stretcher for carrying the bodies of persons, as when wounded or dead.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, which will more fully appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the combination, arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that many changes may be made in the size and proportion of the several parts and details of construction within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

One of the many possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying; drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cot constructed in accordance with the present invention in its extended position; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same converted into a stretcher; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the cot in its extended position; Fig. 4: is a plan vi w of the cot, partly folded; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the cot entirely folded; Fig. 6 is an end view of the cot in its entirely folded position; Fig. 7 is a section taken on 1i-ne'7 7 of Fig. 3 on a larger scale; Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the detail shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 30, 1915.

Patented June 2a, 1915.

Serial No. 18,020.

is a bottom planvicw of the detail shown in Fig. 7 with the foot folded; Fig. 10 is a 860121011 taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a detail of a hinge connecting the side rail sections of the cot; Figi12 is a section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a perspective v1ew of a portion of one of the transverse rail sections of the cot.

In the drawings, the numeral 20 indi cates the top frame of the cot. This frame comprises an oblong structure formed of side rails 21, which are connected by transverse rails 22. Each "side rail -:.:omprises two sections, denoted by the numerals 23 and 2%, each of which is subdivided. More particularly, each of the sections 23 comprises an outer portion and an inner portion 26, and in a similar manner consists each section 24 of an outer portion 27 and an inner portion 28. The portions of each section 23 are hinged together at 2 and the p01- tions of each section 24 at 30. portions of the side rail sections are hinged together at 31. For this purpose the said inner portions are enlarged into circular form, as shown at 32, through the said enlargements passing centrally horizontal pivot pins 33, for instance in the form of screws. These pivot pins are disposed a substantial distance below the lower faces The inner of the side rails, to permit the .said side rails to 'be folded compactly in a manner hereinafter to bedescribed.

The transverse rails 22 are each made of two sections, denoted by the numerals 34:. These sections are hinged at their outer ends to the inner faces of the respective outer portions of the side rail sections, the hinges being denoted by the numerals 35. The pintles 36 of these hinges are, disposed vertically, and their leaves are attached to the side rails and the transverse rails in such a manner that the latter are adapted to be folded on the inner faces of the said side rails, more particularly they fold Gui? ward sothat the free ends of the sections of the transverse rails, when folded, are flush with the outer ends of the outer portions of the side rail sections of the cot. One of each pair of transverse rail sections is provided with a dove-tail 37, adapted to enter a similarly shaped mortise 38 in the other section of the pair.

To the underface of each section of the transverse rails is-secured a leg 39 byua carried by the transverse transverse hinge 40. The pintles 41 ofthese hinges are disposed horizontally in the planes of the pintles 36 of the-hinges 35. The legs are adapted to be folded on the underfaces of the corresponding sections of the transverse rails, but, when. in their extended positions, the outer portions of the side rail sections rest thereon. To maintainthe legs in their extended positions there is associated with each of the same a stop 4.2. These stops are substantially U-shaped in cross section, and rails. Their flanges l3 abut against the under-faces of the transverse rail sections, and are shiftable thereon toward the transverse center line of the cot. For this purpose the said flanges are provided with slots .44, through which extend studs 45, that are screwed into the rail sections. The lower flanges 46 of the stops are considerably shorter than their upper flanges 43, and the heights of their bases 47. are such that the said stops accommodate the legs when the latter are.-

folded, as clearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Latches hold the stops in their proper positions, each latch comprising a lever 48, pivoted at49 to the corresponding transverse rail. section, and being provided with a hook-shaped end 50, adapted to e gage a headed stud 51 upon the corresponding stop 42. When the stops are in their inner positions, in which the outer faces of the bases 47 thereof registerwith the inner faces of the transverse rail sections, their lower flanges as abut against the inner faces of the legs 39, thus keeping the latter in their ex tended positions (Figs. 3 and 7).

With the outer portions 25 of the side rail sections 23 is associated a headrest, compris- 1H0 ini ier ends of the said outer portions.- To the other ends of these links are'pivoted at 54 braces 55, having notches 56 in their un-' derfaces, in which are adapted to be seated lugs 57, that are carried by the side rails. The bottom 58 of the cot is formed of any suitable flexible material, capable of being rolled, such as for instance canvas, woven wire, etc. This bottom is attached in any suitable manner to the side rail sections 21, and to the inner portions 26 of the side rail sections 23, and also to the links 52 constituting with the braces 55 the head-rest.

The operation of this device is as follows: lVhen the cot is in its extended position (Figs. 1 and 3), the side rail sections thereof ave, disposed in a horizontal plane, and supported by the vertically extending legs. The sections of the transverse rails are in engage ment with each other, whereby the bed bottom fabric is drawn taut. The legs of the cot are prevented from collapsing or folding V by the stops above described. The braces 55 of the head-rest are in engagement with the lugs 57, whereby the said head-rest is held I lower flanges 46 two links 52, fulcrumed at 53 near to the pivot in an inclined position. Inasmuch as the adjacentseetions of the side rails are in abutting relation, the said side rails are firmlyheld in their extended positions.

If it is intended to convert the cot into a stretcher, the levers 48 are disenga ed from the stops 42, and the latter move toward the transverse center line of the cot, whereby the legs can be folded onto the underfaces of the respective sections of the transverse rails. \Vhen now the stops are moved back into the positions in which the outer faces of their bases register with the inner faces of the sections of the transverse rails, and the'le vcrs 48 engaged with the headed studs 51 on the said stops, the said legs will be held in abutment with the said transverse rails, the of the said stops keeping the same in such positions. The head-rest may be brought into the plane of the side rails, if necessary, (Fig. 2)., or it may be kept in its extended position. Inasmuch as the bed bottom fabric extends from transverse rail to transverse rail, the portions of the side rails beyond the fabric act as handles, by which the stretcher can be grasped in transporting the wounded or dead. 7 7

When the cot is to be folded for transporting or storage, it is first converted into a stretcher. The transverse rail sections are then disengaged from each outwardly against the inner faces of the side rails. The outer portions of the'side rail sections are then folded back onto thejinner portions thereof, after which the side rails are swung around the pivot pins 33 until the outer portions thereof abut against each other. then placed one on top of bed bottom fabric wound around the same. In'Fig. 6 of the drawings the bed bo tom fabric has been shown in its open position, in order to more clearly show the positions of the parts in their folded relation. The pins 33 are disposed a substantial dis tance below the side rail sections and the circular enlargements 32 are provided in order to afford ample space for If the device is to be built as a cot only, that is to say if it is not to be converted into" a stretcher, those parts of the outer portions-- of the side rail sections, which are located beyond the bed bottom fabric, are of no use. In such ease, the hinges 29 and 30 may be The two side rails,so folded,are'

the other and the" the outer portions of the side rail sections (F ig,

located nearer the hinges 31, with the result that the structure will be considerably shorter when folded.

What I claim is 1. A folding cot comprising a pair of side rails, each side rail consisting of two sections pivotally joined-at 7 each of said sections having an .innerportion and an. outer portion also pivotally joined, said outer portions being adapted'to their inner ends,"

be folded upon said inner portions and the latter being adapted to be swung around their pivots into parallel relation to each other, transverse rails connecting the outer portions of said side rail sections, each transverse rail being made of two sections separably joined at their inner ends and hinged at their outer ends to said side rails, whereby said transverse rail sections are adapted to be folded onto said side rails, a bed bottom fabric secured to said side rails, legs hinged to said transverse rail sections and adapted to be folded thereonto, and means upon said transverse rail sections for holding said legs in their extended positions.

2. A folding cot comprising a pair of side rails, each side rail consisting of two sections pivotally joined at their inner ends, each of said sections having an inner portion and anouter portion also pivotally joined, said outer portions being adapted to be folded upon said inner portionsandthe latter being adapted to be swung around their pivots into parallel relation to each,

other, transverse rails connecting the outer portions of said side rail sections, each trans-' verse rail being made of two sections separably oined at their inner ends and hinged at their outer ends to said side rails, whereby said transverse rail sections are adapted to be folded onto said side rails, a bed bottom fabric secured to said side rails, legs hinged to said transverse rail sections and adapted to be folded thereonto, and means upon said transverse rail sections for holding said legs in their extended positions, said last named means serving also to keep said legs folded upon said transverse rails.

A folding cot comprising a pair of side rails, each side rail consisting of two sections pivotally joined at their inner ends, each of saidsections having an inner portion and an outer portion also pivotally joined, said outer portions being adapted to be folded upon said inner portions and the latter being adapted to be swung around their pivots into parallel relation to each other, transverse rails connecting the outer portions of said side rail sections, each transverse rail being made of two sections separably joined at their-inner ends and hinged at their outer ends to said side rails, whereby said transverse rail sections are adapted to be folded onto said side rails, a bed bottom fabric secured to said side rails, legs hinged to said transverse rail sections and adapted to be folded thcrconto, and means upon said transverse railsections for holding said legs in their extended positions, the upper ends of said legs abutting in their extended positions against the underfaces of said side rail sections.

4. A combination folding cot and stretcher comprising a pair of side rails, each side rail consisting of two sections pivot-ally joined attheir inner ends, each of said sections having an inner portion and an outer portion also pivotally joined, said outer portions being adapted to be folded upon said inner portions and the latter being adapted to be swung around their pivots into parallel relation to each other, transverse rails connecting the outer portions of said side rail sections, each transverse rail being made of two sections separably joined at their inner ends and hinged at their outer ends to the outer portions of said side rails substan tially at the middle of the latter, whereby said transverse rail sections are adapted to be folded onto said side rails, a bed bottom fabric secured to said side rails, legs hinged I to said transverse rail sections and adapted *to be folded thereonto, and means upbn said transverse rail sections for holding said legs in their extended positions.

5. A combination folding cot and stretcher comprising a pair of side rails, each side rail consisting of two sections pivotally joined at their inner ends, each of said sections having an inner portion and an outer portion also pivotally joined, said outer por tions being adapted to be folded upon said inner portions and the latter being adapted to be swung around their pivots into parallel relation to each other, transverse rails connecting the outer portions of said side rail sections, each transverse rail being made of two sections separably joined at their inner ends and hinged at their outer ends to the outer portions of said side rails substantially at the middle of the latter, whereby said transverse rail sections are adapted to be folded onto said side rails, a bed bottom fabric secured to said side rails, legs hinged to said transverse rail sections and adapted to be folded thereonto, and means upon said transverse rail sections for holding said legs in their extended positions, said last named means serving also to keep said legs folded upon said transverse rails.

S'gned at New York, in the county of" New York, and State of New York, this 11th day of March, A. D. 1915.

JULIUS FEKETE.

\Vitnesses SIGMUND Hnnzoc, S. BIIINBAUM. 

